56. Nero

Lineage

Nero's ascent to power was deeply rooted in his lineage, being the great-great-grandson of Augustus, which provided him with a divine status in Roman society. Tom Holland explains that Nero's adoption by Claudius, the previous emperor, further solidified his position, as adoption in Rome was akin to becoming a biological son 1. Agrippina, Nero's mother, played a crucial role in his rise, leveraging her connections and influence to ensure his succession. Holland describes her as a significant political player, despite societal norms against women in power 2.

Agrippina is a significant player and she is able to provide Claudius, who is quite elderly with the gar, because her son is that much older than Britannicus, Claudius's son by a previous wife.

--- Tom Holland

This strategic positioning by Agrippina ensured that Nero was seen as a legitimate heir, overshadowing Claudius's biological son, Britannicus 3.

   

Britannicus

The demise of Britannicus, Claudius's biological son, was a pivotal moment in Nero's consolidation of power. Dominic Sandbrook raises the question of whether Nero was responsible for Britannicus's death, which was officially attributed to food poisoning 4. However, suspicions of foul play linger, with Holland noting that Nero had both motive and opportunity to eliminate a potential rival 5.

Britannicus, after Nero has become emperor, he dies, supposedly, of food poisoning at a banquet.

--- Tom Holland

This event not only removed a threat to Nero's rule but also highlighted the ruthless nature of Roman politics, where familial bonds were often secondary to power dynamics 4.